This afternoon the Ottawa Senators confirmed that Milan Michalek will be out indefinitely with a concussion. The NHL’s leading goal scorer suffered the injury in an awkward second period collision with teammate Erik Karlsson. Judging by the replays, in his fall from the hit, it looked like his head inadvertently hit the ice.

If anyone wants to draw a positive from this, it’s that head coach Paul MacLean seems to believe that the injury will keep Michalek out of the lineup for long or that it will derail his season.

“Right now we have to follow the concussion protocal so right now it’s day-to-day. It’s based on as long as he’s sympton-free. He felt way better (Wednesday) so we’ll see how it goes.

It’s disappointing for him for sure. Depending how long it is, but I don’t believe at this point it’s going to ruin his year, not like the major injuries he’s had in the past that have put him out for months and months.

At this point in time, we suspect it will be day-to-day. It’s disappointing but it’s not devastating.” ~ Bruce Garrioch, The Ottawa Sun)

Not that I’m an expert on brain injuries or anything but I don’t want to downplay the significance of any injury to a player who I believe has now suffered his third disclosed concussion since 2006.